Whistleblower blasts union's own corruption probe

Mathew Dunckley

A construction union whistleblower has blasted an ‘‘independent’’ investigation into the allegations of corruption he raised.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union on Friday released its review into a string of allegations about misconduct by senior officials and links to crime figure George Alex. The claims were raised by whistleblowers who complained to CFMEU national secretary Michael O’Connor late in 2013.

"I look forward to being cross-examined on some of these issues": Brian Fitzpatrick, along with the unnamed whistleblower, claimed they were bullied and harassed. Photo: Wolter Peeters

The allegations will be heard when the Heydon royal commission into union corruption sits in Sydney on Tuesday.

The complaints spurred the union to ask its law firm, Slater & Gordon, to organise an investigation. It chose Sydney barrister Tony Slevin, whose report, released on Friday, exonerates the union’s leadership but suggests changes to the union’s rules dealing with whistleblowers and complaints.

Mr Slevin wrote that there were effectively six different claims against senior figures in the union, including NSW state secretary Brian Parker and branch president Rita Mallia.

‘‘I have considered each specific allegation raised and I have found that the complaints are not substantiated,’’ he said.

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The unnamed whistleblower, along with long-term unionist Brian Fitzpatrick, had claimed they were bullied and harassed after raising concerns over branch governance.

‘‘This thorough seven-month investigation has dealt with each of the allegations in detail, including forensic checks of hundreds of documents and union records,’’ Mr O’Connor said.